First off, thanks to all who use this forum for their comments and information.
The condo in the Shipyards of the Truman Annex was perfect for us (my husband, my 13 year old son and me). Since we were there for a week, beginning April 1, it was great to have a house like atmosphere. The pool area was clean and the people we met (some owners from Wisconsin) were friendly. The condo location is perfect. It takes longer to lock up the bikes than to walk to Blue Heaven; the Green Parrot is a less than a 5 minute bike ride and Fort Zachary is around the corner.
Conch Bike Express delivered the bikes first thing Sunday morning and we rode everywhere all the time. The bikes came with lights, locks, and baskets for $40 a week, each. They picked them up on the 8th after we left. It’s a great arrangement.
Rode around checking out Key West and finding neat places to eat and drink. My son discovered oysters and we ordered them raw or steamed all over town. Played pool at Captain Tony’s. Hung out at Hog’s Breath, which my son wanted to go back to, which we did. Got on the HB bar cam and called friends back home to rub it in…LOL… Visited the historic seaport places that we missed last time. Ate at Half Shell, Turtle Kraals, Conch Republic (a little disappointing) B.O.’s Fish Wagon –which was excellent- What is that cocktail sauce?? Love it. At Two Friends we had a Russian waitress who must have worked at Ed Debevics in Chicago – deadpan, sarcastic and funny.
On Wednesday we did the Sebago Island Ting. Thank you, thank you PJK!! What an absolutely fabulous time! The crew is fantastic especially Sassy and Beth. The food is very, very good and the beer and sangria flows very freely. The snorkeling was great and the kayaking was fun. I handed out some of my ginger pills to a couple of “seasicky” women and one of the ladies ended being my kayak partner. We saw dolphins and the crew was elated. They said that the dolphins rarely get that close to the catamaran. When in Key West YOU MUST GET OUT ON THE WATER !
We biked out to Don’s Place to get a reference for a light tackle fishing trip. We had been there earlier in the week because a guy from our city had bought it a couple years ago and one of our neighbors wanted us to say “hi”. Great local bar. Met a regular, Richard, who bought us drinks. Thanks Richard. People there suggested Capt. John’s Greyhound V. (Garrison Bight) for fishng.
What a great ½ Day of party boat fishing. Starts later, around 11:00 and ends about 4:00pm. Caught a bunch of grunts and my son caught a Lane sapper big enough to be on the board. First mate Oscar clearly loves his job and is a hoot. It was around $135 for all three of us, license, rods, bait and “assistance”. They filleted the catch and sent us over to Conchy Joe’s across the street. The restaurant has a ';cook your catch'; (all of it, four different ways) for $10 and two sides. Got my grunts, yum! Beautiful views from the top sun deck going in and out of the harbor.
Enjoyed the Butterfly conservatory, although I think the guys tolerated it. Tuesday morning I got to peruse some art galleries while the guys drove the golf cart and lost balls at the Key West Golf course. Thursday, we spent an afternoon at Fort Zach. My son enjoyed the Sebago snorkeling and wanted to do the rocks off the shore. He said the snorkeling was better than he expected.
We had fantastic weather and will be back again. BTW, I found the premium tequila. Bought some Cabo at a liquor store near Publix and bought some Don Julio at Mr. Cheapee’s on Caroline, which has a big selection.
Thanks again to all.
Trip Report - Homebase Truman Annex Shipyard Condo
It sounds like you had a wonderful time!!
Can you tell me more about your fishing? Where was the charter located, Etc. I am interested in going out. Was it one of the party-type boats wits lots of people, or a small boat with just a few?
~Michelle
Trip Report - Homebase Truman Annex Shipyard Condo
Wonderful trip report!! Thanks so much!
Is it May 5th yet? I cant wait to go!Thanks for the report!
Suzeeka, We are traveling to KW in May with my wifes sister and she know Sassy of the Sabago Island Ting. Small world!
What street is the Publix%26#39;s on. We look for Cabo (or Patrone)when we are there.
Great review fun to read. PJ
If I recall correctly (locals, correct me if I%26#39;m wrong), Publix is on North Roosevelt Blvd.
~Michelle
Michelle,
The boat is a party boat, but wasn%26#39;t completely filled that day. There was a group of regulars, retired men, at the back that were enjoying themselves immensely - it was like being in a sitcom. We reserved the day before, although it wasn%26#39;t necesary that particular day. The boat is called Capt. John%26#39;s Greyhound V. and is located at Garrison Bight, City Marina Amberjack Pier #5.
The late start (11:00am)is good because you can sleep in a little and have a good breakfast. They let you bring drinks or snacks aboard or you can purchase food or drinks. Even if you%26#39;ve never been seasick , bring something. I gave away more ginger root pills on the fishing boat. We should have fished earlier in the week because we had so many fillets that we could have frozen 1/2 and ate them later (with grits and a tequila sunrise).
The fishing can be messy. You%26#39;re baiting the hook with cut up squid, which can get saucy.
And your fishing neighbor might knock over his squid bait bowl. I suggest wearing clothes you don%26#39;t care about and shoes or sport sandals you can wash off.
Oh- and my son got to drive the boat and Capt. John presented him with a certificate that stated he sailed two of the seven seas.
Yeah, I%26#39;ve been on a few of those party fishing boats when we lived there. (maybe even that one)
*ahem* we always brought a cooler of beer with us, so the end gets kind of fuzzy, if you know what I mean.
I was thinking about doing it again becuase its been so long.
I don%26#39;t remember the names of the marinas, which is what I was wondering. Are you talking about the one by the BOQ on Trumbo (sp) navy base? That%26#39;s the one we used to go out of.
Michelle,
From what I gathered the charter fishing boats have been moved from the historic seaport area (Trumbo Rd.)to ';Charterboat Row'; off Truman Ave. Palm Avenue splits Garrison Bight and the ';row';. You can turn on Palm Ave. from Truman and the docks are right there.
Suzeeka, thanks so much for the trip report, and I%26#39;m glad you enjoyed it. You seem to enjoy some of the same things we do. We always rent from Conch Bike Express, and leave the keys at the front desk where ever we happen to be staying. Where did you leave them for pickup at Truman Annex?
PJ507,
Publix is on N. Rooseveldt, but the liquor store, Paradise, is located right before Publix grocery store going into town. We stopped at Publix for supplies before getting to the condo and Paradise was conveinent.
Mr. Cheapee%26#39;s (on Caroline) had a lot of premium tequila and even a ';mini me'; bottle of Patron that we just had to have. It%26#39;s so cute - had to give it a good home.
Where are you staying? I%26#39;m sure there%26#39;s a liquor store nearby. We didn%26#39;t have trouble finding Cabo, Don Julio, or Patron. Just that some stores were better stocked than others.
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